The top 10 drivers to watch out for in F2 and F3 in 2022

In just over two weeks, Formula 2 and Formula 3 kick off their respective campaigns alongside Formula 1 in Bahrain as 2022 gets underway in the desert.

Year on year, new talent emerges from these feeder categories looking to follow in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and George Russell. 

There are a host of young stars of the future in F2 and F3 this season, and we’ve selected 10 drivers who we think you should watch out for in 2022.

Theo Pourchaire - F2 with ART Grand Prix

Theo Pourchaire remains one of F2’s hottest prospects with the Sauber-backed driver looking to mount a challenge for the drivers’ title in 2022 and propel himself into F1 with Alfa Romeo.

The 18-year-old Frenchman enjoyed a solid rookie year as he secured fifth in the championship with two race victories but ART wasn’t on Prema’s level, allowing Oscar Piastri to run away with the title as Robert Shwartzman took second.

On paper, the F2 field is weaker relative to last year with the likes of Piastri, Shwartzman, Guanyu Zhou, Dan Ticktum all not returning to the series, making Pourchaire the highest-placed returning driver. 

With a year’s experience under his belt, Pourchaire has to be considered a title favourite. 

Dennis Hauger - F2 with Prema

Reigning F3 champion Dennis Hauger makes the step up to F2 with reigning champions Prema.

The Norwegian was impressive in his second season in F3, beating Jack Doohan to the title by 26 points with one round to go.

Hauger will be up against four other Red Bull-backed juniors - Prema teammate Jehan Daruvala, Liam Lawson, Jüri Vips and Ayumu Iwasa - as they fight for a potential future drive with AlphaTauri in F1.

A title challenge should be a realistic target for Hauger given that Shwartzman managed it for the majority of his rookie season with the Italian team, while Piastri dominated last year.

The momentum is behind him, and he’s in the best team to achieve success in 2022.

Jack Doohan - F2 with Virtuosi Racing

Newly-signed Alpine academy driver Jack Doohan also makes the step up from F3 to F2 with Virtuosi Racing.

Doohan’s 2021 campaign caught many as a surprise, ultimately being Hauger’s nearest challenger.

Virtuosi has been one of F2’s leading teams in recent years with Callum Ilott and Zhou.

So don’t be surprised to see Doohan compete at the front and perhaps emulate his fellow countryman, Piastri.

Logan Sargeant - F2 with Carlin

Yet another F3 graduate, Logan Sargeant makes our list with the American driving for Carlin in 2021.

After a lacklustre year last season, it’s easy to forget how impressive Sargeant was in 2020 in F3 as he finished a close third behind Piastri and Pourchaire.

Now being part of the Williams F1 academy, Sargeant could be one to watch in 2022.

Liam Lawson - F2 with Carlin

The second Red Bull junior on our list, Lawson continues in F2 with Carlin for 2022.

Alongside a solid maiden year in the series, finishing fifth overall, Lawson narrowly missed out on the DTM title in a controversial title finale. 

With a host of Red Bull-backed talent in F2, they’re all fighting for a potential chance at AlphaTauri next season.

Team boss Franz Tost has already revealed that Lawson will get a couple of outings in the AT03 F1 car giving him another chance to impress the Red Bull bosses.

Jüri Vips - F2 with Hitech Grand Prix

Our final pick from F2 is another Red Bull junior - Juri Vips.

Without his incredible run of bad luck in 2021, the Estonian would have been a serious contender for second or third in the championship.

Vips is due to drive the Red Bull RB18 in two Friday practice sessions with a chance to demonstrate his talents with one of F1’s best teams.

With better fortune in 2022, Vips is likely to be a serious contender.

Oliver Bearman - F3 with Prema

16-year-old British driver Oliver Bearman makes the step up to Formula 3 for 2022.

Being a member of Ferrari’s driver academy, Bearman has immense pressure on his young shoulders, but his CV so far shows he can handle it.

Bearman is the reigning Italian and ADAC Formula 4 champion and has got a big future ahead of him.

With Prema, he will have all the tools to succeed in F3 alongside more experienced teammates Jak Crawford and fellow FDA member Arthur Leclerc.

Isack Hadjar - F3 with Hitech Grand Prix

France’s new rising star is 17-year-old Isack Hadjar.

Hadjar enjoyed an impressive 2021 campaign as he was crowned Formula Regional European rookie champion with fifth in the standings, taking two victories.

The Paris born racer’s impressive junior career earned him a spot in Red Bull’s junior programme, adding to an array of talent for Helmut Marko to choose from in the years to come.

Zane Maloney - F3 with Trident

Zane Maloney makes his F3 debut with reigning teams’ champions Trident.

The Barbadian racer also competed in the Formula Regional European Championship, securing fourth overall with French outfit R-ace GP.

F3 testing has already been positive for Maloney with a strong run of results in the post-season tests in Valencia before topping day one in Bahrain.

Our dark horse going into the season.

Arthur Leclerc - F3 with Prema Racing

After an underwhelming rookie season, Arthur Leclerc keeps his place with Prema for a second season.

The younger brother of Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc, the 21-year-old has to challenge for the title in 2022.

His lacklustre 2021 campaign did have some flashes of brilliance with wins at Paul Ricard and Zandvoort, but just three points finishes in the first 13 races wasn’t good enough in a Prema package that took Hauger to the title. 

A big year for Leclerc.